redevelop

The Authority is an active partner with a number of municipalities, non-profits, and businesses in getting projects started. In some cases, the Authority eventually becomes a managing agent for properties developed through these partnerships. Currently, the Authority is involved with the following projects:

Grants are provided to non-profit housing agencies who intend to bring housing units up to code and preserve affordable housing in a historically compatible manner.

These programs are designed to help improve neighborhoods by rehabilitating houses and increasing the number of homeowners. The Authority works with housing developers to obtain financing and site control when necessary. The Authority contracts to market the properties to homebuyers. The Authority also works closely with the non-profit and the municipality to implement streetscape improvements and ensure regulatory compliance.

Pitt/North Street Pride (Carlisle). Pitt and North Street Pride is a multi-year neighborhood renewal project spearheaded by a non-profit corporation, Carlisle Housing Opportunities Corporations (CHOC), and the Cumberland County Redevelopment and Housing Authorities. The goal of the project is to create 25 new homeowners in an older area of Carlisle Borough, which had deteriorated in large part due to many of the homes being converted into investment properties over the past 20 years. The project has been broken down into phases, which are scheduled to occur over three years. The first two phases of the project focused on the 100 block of North Pitt Street.

Eleven homes have been substantially rehabilitated or constructed during these first phases. The third phase of the project will primarily focus on the 0-100 and 100-200 blocks of West North Street, which intersects with the Pitt Street target area. Ten houses will be developed over a 2-year period consisting of 12 properties (eight on North Street and two on North Pitt Street).

The Authority has worked with residents, non-profits and municipal officials to foster neighborhood cohesiveness by using innovative service approaches and establishing community facilities for use by services and residents.

The Authority works with non-profit housing developers to obtain financing, site control and environmental clearances to bring projects to fruition. The Authority contracts to market the houses to homebuyers prior to construction completion. The Authority ensures regulatory compliance.

North Newton Homes (Newville). Five ranch homes were constructed by a non-profit housing corporation, Susquehanna Housing Opportunities Corporation (SHOC), and successfully sold to low/moderate income first-time homebuyers in a subdivision just outside of Newville in 1998. The purpose of this project was to provide affordable homeownership opportunities in a rural area of the county, as well as to stimulate additional residential development in the Newville area. All homes were designed to be handicapped visitable, meaning a person using a wheelchair could access the houses. Due to the success of this project, a second phase involving the construction of seven homes is now in progress.

The Authority works with non-profit housing developers to obtain financing, site control and environmental clearances. The authority provides legal expertise, particularly in the area of tax credit financing. The Authority often contracts to act as the managing agent of the properties after construction completion.

Recent Projects

Shippen Place Shippensburg, Pennsylvania	Comfort Suites Carlisle, Pennsylvania

In addition to the loan and grant programs administered by the Authority, the Authority also is involved with downtown redevelopment projects in partnership with for-profit and non-profit developers. The authority assists in obtaining financing, site control and environmental clearances. The Authority assists in marketing the properties to potential tenants. The Authority also ensures regulatory compliance. At times, the Authority acts as a conduit for tax free bond financing.

Woolworth Building (Carlisle). The Authority staff has worked to secure funding that will allow a limited partnership to convert the former Woolworth building at 14-20 North Hanover Street into a mixed use (retail/commercial) project. The Authority purchased the property in February 2000. Efforts are now underway to secure a retailer for the first floor space. Offices will be established on the second floor. Construction is expected to begin by the Fall of 2000.

Centenary Building (Carlisle). A devastating fire ravaged a major section of West High Street in late 1999. The Authority, working cooperatively with a number of organizations including Dickinson College, Preservation Pennsylvania, and a local bank, put together a package of financing that has allowed the Authority to purchase the property at 56 West High Street. The purchase was finalized in May of 2000 and a contract to rebuild the roof was awarded shortly thereafter. The Authority will be working to develop a public-private partnership that will develop the property into a mixed-use (retail/commercial/arts) facility.

The Authority has been active in supporting the start up of small businesses through an incubator, which provides space for new businesses with shared support services and overhead expenses.

Murata Incubator (Carlisle). The staff of the Authority has worked closely with a number of organizations, including the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) to develop a small business incubator in Carlisle. The Executive Director of the Authority also serves on the incubator advisory board. The present facility will be renovated through a grant from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD) which will create space for approximately 12 start-up businesses.

The Authority works closely with local governments as an advisor and grant manager in order to help improve community facilities to better serve the public. Projects include ADA accessibility improvements, park development, street reconstruction, community center improvements, and similar projects.

The Authority assists non-profits and communities in providing their own services to the public through the use of grant funding. Such services typically are marketed directly to specific consumers, such as the establishment of community based patch programs or a downtown arts festival. The purchase of service equipment is also a possibility, such as the acquisition of 911 emergency radios.

Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program and Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

Funding is available to consumers and homeowners to keep their residences up to local codes. Funding is also available to first time homebuyers with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Home Services